DRUG BUYER, 4 DEALERS NABBED RED-HANDED

5 people, including 3 women, held while carrying out transaction

FOUR drug dealers along with a buyer, in the midst of a transaction, were arrested by the Selangor Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID).

The bust also spelt the end of the one-year-old syndicate.

The five, three of whom were women, were arrested last Thursday (April 4) at 2pm in Bandar Baru Bangi by a raiding team.

The team had been hot on the heels of the drug syndicate for about three weeks.

On the day of the operation, the five had no idea that their movements were closely monitored by the Selangor NCID’s Intelligence Operations and Detention Division.

Selangor police chief Datuk Noor Azam Jamaludin said the five, aged between 34 and 44, comprised a welder, tailor, mechanic, a salesperson and an unemployed person, were nabbed while they were in a car, near a restaurant, in Bandar Baru Bangi.

“Our investigation showed that the syndicate was active not only in Selangor but also in Melaka, Kuala Lumpur and Johor as well. Their modus operandi was to use public places such as shoplots to carry out their drug transactions.

“We also seized drugs believed to be syabu weighing 5.075kg supplied from Johor.

“It has an estimated value of RM355,250 and we believe it was meant for the Klang Valley market. It can be supplied to about 10,150 drug users a day, based on a 0.5 gramme a day consumption rate,” said Noor Azam.

He said his men were probing if there were any more of the syndicate members still at large.

Noor Azam was speaking at a press conference at the Selangor police contingent headquarters.

Present was Selangor NCID deputy chief Superintendent Sundralingam Rajassundram.

Noor Azam said the raid saw a total seizure of RM770,400 in cash and valuables. Also seized were three cars — a Nissan Teana, Perodua Kembara and a Honda City worth RM103,000; RM7,400 in cash, jewellery worth RM10,000 as well as bank accounts with RM650,000 in deposits.

Noor Azam said two of the suspects tested positive for drugs, while one had a previous drug and theft record.

He said the suspects had been remanded for six days until tomorrow under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

They are being investigated under Section 39(B) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for trafficking in dangerous drugs, which carries a death penalty, life imprisonment or not more than 15 strokes of the rotan if found guilty.

Noor Azam added that the Selangor NCID had busted four drug syndicates so far this year. From January to March, drugs worth more than RM1.7 million have been seized.

He said apart from the Dangerous Drugs Act, the Special Preventive Measures Act 1985 was also used on 61 persons so far this year.

The law allows a minister to issue a detention or restraining order against a person for not more than two years, extending it if needed, to maintain public order.